For the third year, the Southern Entertainment Awards is offering free panel discussions in the two days preceding their well-respected SEA Award Show. For 2007, the goal of the SEA Panels is to educate artists and people who want to work in the music industry behind-the-scenes. Offering a wide array of "how to" panels, the SEA Panels plan to educate the urban music community on topics such as: How To Get A Deal, How To Start A Record Label, How To Get Radio Play, Producer's Panel, How To Build A Huge Buzz, and a Digital Panel.

Wendy Day, coordinator of the free panel discussions for the past two years, has utilized her experience and connections to assemble and all-star team of speakers to share their knowledge and experience. "This year we have Michael Watts coming to speak--he owns Swisha House, the most successful rap indie label that we have in urban music. Swisha House is behind Mike Jones, Lil Keke, and Paul Wall. Mike Watts is also a DJ, responsible for the current success of chopped and screwed music (originated by Houston's own DJ Screw). I will also speak extensively on the deals I've been able to obtain for artists such as Twista, Eminem, David Banner, Trick-Trick, Cash Money's BG, Juvenile, Hot Boyz, and Turk, as well as Master P's original deal at Priority," states Wendy Day emphatically.

Also speaking to the crowd of attendees will be Young Jeezy's partner, Kinky B, who is co-owner of Corporate Thugz Entertainment with Jeezy. Also, the VP of the company will come and speak about how CTE built such a huge street buzz for Jeezy and their other artists. Kinky declares that "it's important for people who are successful in the music industry to share the truth about how the music industry really operates. There are so many lies and so much bullshit that it's up to us to tell the truth." Wes Phillips from Select-O-Hits Distribution will shed light on how distribution works and how to obtain it. Super Producer Khao from Grand Hustle will speak about his success producing for T.I. WordOfSouth.com owner Leon Bailey will share his insights on the digital frontier and how it impacts urban music. DJ Lil Larry (Memphis K97) and B. Paiz (Program Director for WIBB in Macon) will share how to get a record played at radio.

There will be 30+ panelists descending upon Tunica, Mississippi for the 2007 SEA Panels (www.SEAPanels.com) for 6 panels on Friday, January 26th and Saturday, January 27th from Noon to 6 PM each day.

On Saturday, January 27th at 6 PM, join Serato Scratch Live for a LIVE demonstration of effective DJ tricks using Serato Scratch Live!

All events are being held at the Casino Grand Hotel and Convention Center in Tunica, MS, which is 30 miles south of Memphis, TN. Aside from the Award Show on Sunday, January 28th, there are also parties each night of the SEA Weekend. For more information, please see www.SouthernEntAwards.com.